NBA: Decisions await in Miami

Four years ago, when LeBron James uttered that now-infamous phrase — "not two, not three, not four, not five …’’ — about how many championships he hoped to win with the Heat, it almost immediately was turned into a punch line. It rings prophetic in some ways now, with the Heat back in the NBA Finals for a fourth consecutive season.

How the Heat fare in their rematch with the San Antonio Spurs might dictate what happens in July, when James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade can become free agents if they choose. A looming off-season of decisions has been a taboo subject for the Heat’s "Big 3" this season, and Wade insisted Monday that Miami’s stars have not said a word to one another about what may or may not happen.

"I’m not lying," Wade said.

Still, as long as Miami keeps winning, it seems logical the "Big 3" will stay together.

"I want to come back. That’s OK to say, I think," Bosh said Monday after the Heat finished their first workout in preparation for the Finals, which begin Thursday in San Antonio. "I like it here. It’s Miami. Enough said."

Regardless of the outcome of this Heat-Spurs series, there will be changes to the Heat, which is an annual rite for just about every team. James, Wade and Bosh can all opt out of their current deals. Shane Battier is retiring, Ray Allen may think about doing the same. Mario Chalmers, James Jones and Rashard Lewis are notable free-agents-in-waiting.

It’s not just the "Big 3" who aren’t thinking too far ahead … yet.

Allen said no one in the room is looking past anything but this series — especially with the Spurs’ Tim Duncan saying San Antonio will get it done this year after falling short against the Heat last season. But as James noted, both teams have motivation.

"That’s the great thing about having veterans," Allen said. "Nobody worries about what’s not here yet."